The proposal to build a new central street running through Whitfield as part of the area’s regeneration was approved by Dundee councillors.
The new spine road will cross the estate from east to west at a cost of £2.65 million to connect residents to new services and features being developed.
A report by city engineer Fergus Wilson said detailed proposals for the road had been developed and a partnering contract negotiated with Tayside Contracts.
“The proposals will provide a new road and footpath/cycleway to improve access across the Whitfield area as a strategic element of the Whitfield Development Framework,” he said.
“The project design incorporates the principles of sustainability through the use of recycled materials, sustainable drainage, adaptable lighting, the improvement of the local environmental quality and the provision of walking and cycling opportunities.”
It is anticipated that regenerating Whitfield will see around 1000 new houses built and the population rise by between 2000 and 3000.
Additional planned facilities include a new school to replace both Whitfield and Newfields primaries and the Whitfield Community Early Years centre, plus a life services site which will house health, social work and leisure and communities staff under one roof.
Councillors also approved a major upgrading of the sub-mains cabling and distribution boards throughout the city council’s City Square Complex, which will cost £84,431.
The need for these works was identified during testing and inspection and recently there have been two failures resulting in the loss of power for two days to parts of the west wing.
Councillors heard the power system is up to 40 years old in some places and in danger of collapse. Councillor Fraser Macpherson said the alternative of approving the works was too awful to contemplate.
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user xJasonRogersx.